Closure of markets: three million daily wage earners rendered jobless: industrial & revenue losses estimated at Rs 15 billion

Markets in the city remained closed on the second consecutive day on Wednesday as tension continued to prevail in the city in the wake of MQM chief Altaf Hussain's arrest in London. Traders told Business Recorder that fears of violence left the entire metropolis closed, brining trade and business activities to a complete halt on the second day. "The closure of markets and non-availability of public transport left at least three million daily wage earners jobless," they said.
Sindh Tajir Ittehad has already announced to keep markets closed till some 'positive news' pour in here from London. Several big and small markets in downtown and the Old City area remained shut. However, shops in the outskirts of the city were found open during the strike. "The two strike caused at least Rs 0.7 million losses to the traders," All Karachi Tajir Ittehad Chairman Atiq Mir said, adding that the closures might have caused industrial productions and customs revenues losses to the tune of around Rs 15 billion.
He said the strikes are not the solutions to the problems. "Pakistani government or any other organisation cannot influence the London police to review its decision, instead the issue can be challenged in the court of law," he opined. Daily wagers, small traders and those selling food are the worst sufferers due to closure of markets, he said, adding that the strike has also left the government and private offices deserted, besides bringing academic and social activities to a complete standstill.
"The poor people have been facing serious financial problems owing to continuing closure of markers," he pointed, saying that the need of the hour was that the city must return to normality as soon as possible to help save the falling economy. Democratic Workers Federation's Chairman Liaquat Ali Sahi criticised Sindh government and law-enforcement agencies for not taking prompt measures to help contain and control violent incidents that took place following news of Altaf Hussain's arrest spread in the city on Tuesday.
He said that tension continued to prevail in the city as public did not get any assistance from the government and law-enforcement agencies, besides the authorities concerned were least concerned about non-availability of public transport and suspension of all sorts of academic activities in the metropolis. Voicing his concern over closure of the city's railways stations, he said that continuing strike in the city has caused a huge loss to the national exchequer, besides rendering millions of poor labourers jobless. He demanded of the government and law-enforcement agencies to take swift action against the hooligans, ensuring protection to lives and honour of the masses.